Thread: CK's question on White Perch

Wateree Sunday, fishing out of Beaver creek, the very small morning bite had died and I was fishing a secondary creek along with 4 or so other boats, who all ended up moving on. It was 11 am or so and the lake was filling up with pontoons and jetskis, getting to be unfishable. One boat had stayed in the creek, anchored, and they were slaying the wp. I had to come up to them to comment about it. They were on a flat, no remarkable structure, 15 fow or so and fan casting out, fishing on the bottom with worms. I don't think any of them had to wait over a minute or two before reeling in another. I told them nice job and went on my way. I had previously caught perch in that creek on minnows but none for me that morning.

The white perch definitely run up the creeks and rivers to spawn. The places I have found them best is the mouth of little side creeks off the main river in the headwaters of the lakes. Like someone mentioned they tend to run earlier than the stripers and hybrids. Mostly in March from what I have seen. If you find a spot loaded with spawning perch it will typically be productive year after year. They were running good just before the last big slug of rain and mud. Have been or heard since.